Podcast Summary: "Mmm, Ted Cruz" – The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Release Date: January 18, 2022
Host: Ben Ferguson (Featuring Ted Cruz, Michael Knowles, and Liz Wheeler)
Podcast: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Introduction to Criticism and Satirical Commentary

[03:27] Ted Cruz:
The episode kicks off with Ted Cruz addressing a satirical article from The Babylon Bee, which humorously suggested that political criticism is driven by sexual frustration. Cruz remarks, “We now know from AOC, among other people, that all political criticism is merely grounded in sexual frustration,” highlighting the absurdity of such claims and setting the tone for the episode's blend of humor and political critique.

Impeachment of President Joe Biden: Political Strategy and Constitutional Grounds

[06:28] Liz Wheeler:
The discussion shifts to the potential impeachment of President Joe Biden if Republicans regain control of the House. Liz Wheeler emphasizes the bipartisan disdain for using impeachment as a political tool, stating, “This is not how the Constitution was meant to work. But the Democrats made the decision, damn the torpedoes, they didn’t care about the consequences.”

[08:09] Michael Knowles:
Michael elaborates on the constitutional basis for impeachment, referencing Justice Joseph Story's interpretation: “Our fathers adopted a constitution under which official malfeasance and nonfeasance and in some cases, misfeasance may be the subject of impeachment.”

[10:12] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler outlines three primary grounds for impeachment:

1. Border Security Failures:
   “Immigration is the President's utter failure and refusal to enforce the immigration laws and to create absolute chaos.”

2. Afghanistan Withdrawal:
   “The president abandoning Americans behind enemy lines, sharing intelligence with the Taliban, and releasing terrorists like the suicide bomber responsible for killing 13 American servicemen and women.”

3. Vaccine Mandates:
   “The president's lawless vaccine mandates, acting in open defiance of the law based on advice from legal counsel.”

[13:00] Ted Cruz:
Cruz differentiates between general incompetence and intentional obstruction, asking, “just doing a bad job is not grounds for impeachment. But you're saying there's a difference here between doing a bad job at enforcing the laws and flagrantly, intentionally, consistently refusing to enforce the law.”

[17:01] Ted Cruz:
Expanding the conversation, Cruz introduces the issue of the filibuster, a Senate procedure requiring a 60-vote threshold to pass legislation, and its potential removal by Senate Democrats. He poses two critical questions:

1. Is eliminating the filibuster likely?
2. What would its removal mean for the Senate and the country?

The Senate Filibuster: Implications for Bipartisanship and Legislative Process

[17:54] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler delves into the history and impact of the filibuster, criticizing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's efforts to eliminate it. She explains, “The legislative filibuster... forces compromise, it slows down the legislative process, it forces some modicum of bipartisanship.”

Wheeler also traces the origin of the filibuster for judicial nominations to Schumer, highlighting its politicization: “Schumer concocted the plan. Let’s start filibustering judges... That was a partisan filibuster.”

[22:10] Ted Cruz:
Cruz underscores the significance of the filibuster in maintaining Senate traditions and preventing unilateral decision-making: “The filibuster, a protection against majoritarianism, is really, seems to be at the heart of a lot of the debates going on at the Capitol.”

COVID-19 Policies: Government Flip-Flops and Big Tech Censorship

[22:59] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler criticizes the Biden administration’s changing stance on COVID-19 policies, citing reduced quarantine periods and perceived leniency: “They suddenly, Dr. Fauci suddenly discover some reasonableness.”

She also condemns Big Tech’s role in censoring dissenting voices: “Big Tech is so shameless, it would make Orwell blush... they’re willing to ban Trump, they’re willing to ban Joe Rogan, they’re willing to ban Marjorie Taylor Greene.”

[28:50] Liz Wheeler:
Addressing censorship, Wheeler recounts instances where conservative voices were silenced, emphasizing the inconsistency and bias of Big Tech: “They blocked Rogan's latest podcast with one of the inventors... They blocked Joe Rogan... it's insane.”

[31:35] Ted Cruz:
Cruz connects these policy shifts to legislative outcomes, questioning the impact of changing narratives on court cases, such as the vaccine mandate for Navy SEALs: “Do you think that is going to have any effect on these outcomes in the court cases?”

[32:16] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler shares her involvement in supporting the Navy SEALs against vaccine mandates, highlighting a recent court victory: “A federal district court in Texas issued a stay preventing them from being fired... we saw this week in the Navy SEALs litigation.”

[33:58] Liz Wheeler:
She further critiques D.C.'s authoritative stance on vaccine mandates, explaining congressional oversight: “Congress actually has plenary authority. Congress can introduce a resolution of disapproval to essentially overturn that ordinance.”

Mailbag Segment: Listener Questions and Expert Opinions

Elizabeth Holmes Trial:

[40:01] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler provides an overview of the Elizabeth Holmes trial, comparing it to a Hollywood narrative and likening it to a Ponzi scheme: “The whole thing was a con. The whole thing was a crock.”

She explains the trial outcomes, including convictions and acquittals: “She was convicted on four of the counts... she was acquitted on four of the counts... three of the counts, there’ll likely be a mistrial.”

[44:42] Michael Knowles:
Knowles discusses the implications of Holmes's conviction, questioning whether the sentencing will match the severity of her fraud: “It’s not much different than Madoff and a Ponzi scheme... how about even if she gets a year or two in prison, if this is justice, given what she did.”

Law School Selection:

[45:44] Liz Wheeler:
Responding to a listener's concern about biased law schools, Wheeler advises choosing the best school possible while emphasizing independent study: “Go to the best school you can get into... take the time to read Justice Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Robert Bork... learn.”

She criticizes the current state of legal academia: “The sad state of the legal academy... they are almost overwhelmingly hard left.”

[53:54] Michael Knowles:
Agreeing with Wheeler, Knowles underscores the importance of independent study in higher education to counteract ideological biases: “Most of what I learned... was based on my own independent study.”

Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

[36:20] Michael Knowles:
Knowles highlights ongoing community engagement initiatives, including anniversary giveaways and subscriber incentives, encouraging listeners to participate and support the podcast’s growth.

[57:27] Liz Wheeler:
Wheeler promotes the Jobs, Freedom and Security PAC, emphasizing its role in supporting conservative candidates and causes: “In 2022, Jobs, Freedom and Security PAC plans to donate to conservative candidates running for Congress and help the Republican Party across the nation.”

Notable Quotes

• Ted Cruz [06:28]:
  “This is not just some cheap political shot. They have said they have no interest in doing that.”

• Liz Wheeler [10:12]:
  “The Constitution was not meant to be used as a tool for partisan political battles.”

• Michael Knowles [28:50]:
  “It’s insane. If you disagree with the doctor, disagree with it. But to step in as Big Brother censors, it’s just a level of hubris that’s really staggering.”

• Ted Cruz [22:10]:
  “The filibuster, a protection against majoritarianism, is really, seems to be at the heart of a lot of the debates going on at the Capitol.”

Conclusions and Takeaways

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, the hosts delve deep into pressing political issues facing the United States. Central themes include the potential impeachment of President Biden based on constitutional grounds, the contentious debate over the Senate filibuster and its implications for bipartisan legislation, and the administration's shifting COVID-19 policies coupled with Big Tech's role in censoring conservative voices.

The conversation underscores a profound concern among conservatives about the erosion of checks and balances, the weaponization of impeachment as a political tool, and the suppression of dissenting opinions in the digital space. Additionally, the episode highlights the importance of independent study and critical thinking in higher education to combat ideological biases.

Overall, the episode serves as a call to action for listeners to engage in political processes, support conservative initiatives, and remain vigilant against perceived governmental overreach and media censorship.